Earlier this week I was in H&M and noticed denim shirts, knitwear and jackets with contrasting elbow patches as their design feature. I’ve also noticed that prêt à porter designers are doing quite a bit of patching at the moment.
Over the last few seasons we’ve seen self-fabric elbow patches come through on leather jackets (see picture 3 below). But the contrasting patch creates quite a different vibe, especially on wools and tweeds. I like it in small doses.
I bought a charcoal tweed equestrian blazer with bright leather chestnut elbow patches and buttons as this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that I can’t wait to sport when the weather cools down. I want to wear it with pencil skirts, jeans, biker boots, patent pumps and animal print. I might even throw in some lace.
The contrasting elbow patch is equestrian and “grandpa-ish”. The self-colour elbow patch is less so. I like both effects, so I’m a yay vote. What’s your verdict?
